The set opens with Let's Take It Back. This is off the Poetry In Motion album by Najee. he track is actually a departure for Najee, as he usually created those sweet slow and mid-tempo grooves. The track features Incognito, and it was produced by Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick. Up next is Club 702. This is a track by Las Vegas native, Paul Taylor. It is evident that he was inspired by all of the EDM music that is featured in Sin City. Taylor features EDM sounds regularly on his albums.
Peter White is next with the classic, How Long. This is a remake of the the British band, Ace, tune from 1974. If you listen to White's albums, you will usually find one or two really good jazz songs to dance to. Whether it is a slow song, a mid-tempo groove or an uptempo dance song, Peter White does them all beautifully.
Do you like a little trumpet with your jazz? Well, Rick Braun is the perfect artist for that. He has been on the trumpet since high school, and with songs like So Strong in his repertoire, there is nobody better right now. Braun credits artists such as Herb Alpert, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis as major influences.
Nu jazz artist Vincent Ingala contributes Coast To Coast to the mix. Even though he is only is in his early 20's, he has already released four albums, and they are all worth listening to. Coast To Coast is a track where you can just get into your car and head down the highway with the top down. By the way, if you need to drive down to Main Street, let Jackiem Joyner provide the soundtrack for that. Joyner specializes in R&B flavored smooth jazz. He is also a part of the new jazz artists that take current sounds and incorporate them in the music.
A track I really like is called Going For Miles. It is by U-Nam, and you can tell that it was inspired by the classic song, The Glow Of Love by Change. If you have not heard of him, U-Nam is a veteran Jazz/Funk artist that has played with several major artists, including George Benson, Barry White, and George Duke, among others.
Pieces Of A Dream is up next, with Fast Lane. This is a group that can do it all, and this track is proof that they are in tune with the new jazz that is out right now. Did you know that this group was founded in 1976? Staying relevant for this long is definitely an accomplishment.
If you need a little piano in your life, Brian Simpson should immediately come to mind. Wonderland is the track that is incorporated in this edition. This is a song that will keep your head bobbing and your feet tapping. The first lady of nu jazz is up next. So Close is from Candy Dulfer. I would say that on each album she offers something different. She is not afraid to experiment with various sounds and grooves. This is definitely one of those jazz songs to dance to. You can actually play it at a nightclub, and it will get a good response.
What is a beat mixed project without Gerald Albright? In this edition, we are featuring the track, Taking Control off the G album. One of the best to ever do it, Albright has been giving us great music since 1987.
The first of two classic jams is up next. Up first, we have Maxi's from Richard Elliot. This is off the 2005 release, Metro Blue. As far as saxophone players so, he is at the top of the list. The second is a remake of the Sly & The Family Stone classic Family Affair. Maysa does the honors, and this track is off the 2002 release, Out Of The Blue. She makes this song her own, as she totally reconstructs the track. I recommend the entire album.
We close it out with the all time fusion band, The Rippingtons. Wild Tales is a song that has all of the elements of a great uptempo jazz song. Stellar sax play, unmatched guitar, and unique keyboard sounds make this one of the top jazz songs to dance to. This is another track that would go over well in the clubs.
We are not calling this smooth jazz, we are calling it nu jazz, with some of the best artists in the genre.
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